Gandhi, while addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting earlier in the day, had suggested that the government should pass on the benefit of lower international crude prices to the people.
The Left parties, Samajwadi Party and the opposition BJP too had demanded immediate reduction in fuel prices and also staged a brief walkout in the Lok Sabha on the issue today.
While petrol is currently being sold at a profit of Rs 4.50 per litre, companies are incurring a loss of Rs 0.45 on sale of one litre of diesel, Petroleum Ministry sources said.
The Indian basket of crude oil stood at about $67 per barrel, when petrol and diesel prices were last raised in June 2006. Crude prices are now hovering in the range of $57-58 per barrel.
